Another Rant

[BeeE586]

According to the blurb, I am allowed on here even though I am an elderly female.

About six years ago my 'phone number was changed and I went ex-directory. I was being pestered by one of those idiots who thought it funny to ring in the early hours, and when I answered to laugh and hang up or offer to visit me. My new number went out on a strictly 'need to know' basis.

This was fine, as I got no calls from double glazing firms or similar, no one offered me loans or car insurance or whatever - that is until recently when I am again inundated. When I ask how my number has been obtained, the answer is usually, 'You are on my list.'

Finally, I managed to persuade someone to tell me how I got on the list and was told this.

"We take an SDT code, (in my case 0114) then an area within that code (mine is 248) and ring a thousand random numbers. We always get some answers because most of the numbers acually exist."

Does anyone have any knowledge of this practice or was it a leg-pull ?

Eileen -- :mad:

[MarkJ]

Yep - thats exactly what they do. I have asked them the question -"Where did you get my number?" to be told the same tale - they simply pick an area code, then dial all combinations within that code.
I too am ex-directory, for the same reasons as you mention - avoiding pointless spam telephone calls. I was getting random calls - despite being ex-directory - from double glazing people. In the end, I went to the BT website and signed up for caller ID and the TPS - both free of charge. I don't think I have had any calls since - although I am not sure if that is a coincidence or not. But its worth a try - after all, free is good :)

Mark

[BeeE586]

Mark and Myth - thank you for confirming that this practice does exist. I wasn't sure if TPS worked in this instance, but you give me hope that it does and I have registered with them.

|cheers| -- Eileen

[busyglen]

Eileen, I had this problem a couple of years ago and registered with TPS and that cut all of those type of calls, until recently. We have been inundated with calls starting:
We're carrying out a survey for ????? (I can never understand what they say). As soon as they say that I put down the phone. So...whilst TPS keeps the double glazing types who use the lists, off....it won't keep all of the random diallers at bay. But, it's better than nothing.

Another trick is to let the phone ring about 10 times before you answer it, as if nobody answers, their phones cut out and they try the next one in line. My mother in law does this, and so far it has worked.

Hope you don't get too many of them now. :)

Glenys

[Ron Leech]

These days I find the most annoying calls are from those I do business with like the bank and BT! These are the only people to ask for me by name. I ask them how I can know they are genuinely from that business usually they get quite upset by this. I then suggest that if they are trying to sell me a product that they write, I do not give out my address.

There are lots of suggestions out there for those nuisance callers one is to scream down the phone as though you are being murdered and talk weird. Another is to ask them to hold the line put the phone down get on with what you were doing then later pick up the phone to see if they are still there.

[Ladkyis]

I had a call recently that said it was from my bank so I asked it for my account number and they said "We don't give that information over the phone"
I replied "neither do I", Thanked the person for calling wished him a nice day and hung up.

The next time I went into my bank I asked them to put a note on my account file that I am not to be called on the phone.

It made me feel so good because I usually don't think of these things until I put the phone down

Ann

[Sharron]

I'm currently getting the silent calls. Very annoying, but if I don't here a voice immediately after I answer, I hang up. Of course, then I have to dial 1471 to make sure I haven't actually hung up on a friend as she's saying, "Hi Sharron, it's Ju............." :D

These things usually last for a couple of weeks and then gradually peter out.

[DebbieAnn]

What I despise is computer dialing. A computer randomly dials numbers within a specific area and when the reciever is picked up it automatically switches to a human telemarketer/salesperson. Except there's a lag from the switching operation before a voice comes on the line and it seems like a prank call with no one on the other end.

Banks seem to use this a lot over here.

Debbie

[Burrow Digger]

What I despise is computer dialing. A computer randomly dials numbers within a specific area and when the reciever is picked up it automatically switches to a human telemarketer/salesperson. Except there's a lag from the switching operation before a voice comes on the line and it seems like a prank call with no one on the other end.

Banks seem to use this a lot over here.

Debbie


So do the collection agencies. :(

BD

[MarkJ]

I have a feeling that one of the preference services requires you to re-register each year. It is possibly the mailing preference, but it may also apply to the telephone one. So it is maybe worth just checking you are still registered if you start getting those annoying calls over one year after you registered.
Now, if only I could get them to block those mobile calls I seem to receive all the time which begin "Dad, can you...." ;)

[BeeE586]

When I was getting the early morning calls I kept my school whistle by the 'phone. It was called 'Little Thunderer' and could be heard from one end of a playground to the other. Unfortunately, my caller must have had leather ears because it didn't deter him or her - I was never sure. I had to stop as it woke up my neighbours once or twice. Might be worth a try though.

Eileen

[Procat]

Hi Eileen,

The use of a whistle could lead to potential legal problems for the whistle blower.

Whilst most "responsible" (for lack of a better word) agencies would use a sound shield device it is possible that the person on the receiving end of the noise could suffer temporary or permanent hearing loss.

A much better option would be to simply hang up.

[Guy Etchells]

I have started using a different approach to such calls.
I ask the caller which company they are calling on behalf of then tell them we have a policy never to use any company connected with cold calling.
I then thank them and say godbye.
Since I have started using this approach I get very few calls much to my suprise.
Cheers
Guy

[BeeE586]

The whistle was a long time ago and only a very few times at that. It was when it had no effect that I changed the number.

Eileen

[zyban]

I used to get a lot of these cold calls and as you know if you dial 1471 you always get "caller has witheld their number".So for a very small fee £1 amonth my telephone company will block all calls that dont provide their telephone number.
As amatter of intrest when a salesperson get through has anyone actually brought their product because idont of anyone.

[Ladkyis]

Then you'll never get a call from me because my number is withheld - my service provider do it because I was plagued by nuisance calls a few years ago. They were more than a nuisance they were quite terrifying. I had the calls monitored for a while - they actually caught the dimwit that was doing it - but the insecurity of having a phone number out there for anyone was too much so I am ex directory and they withold my number too.


Ann

[suzzie]

My number is also withheld by my service provider, I often ring people from home as a volunteer for victim support. I don't want a call back from them at home this was the most sensible way around it. Sue.